The comment was made by Leahy’s spokesman David Carle following clarification as to why Leahy had a phone call with Air Force Chief of Staff Mark Welsh earlier this week.

Carle said the senator has fought for the Guard and its role in national security.

“This wouldn't be the first time the Air Force or one of its major commands has tried to put the active force ahead of the Air National Guard, and as co-chair of the Senate Guard Caucus, Leahy was the Air Force’s chief antagonist last year in criticizing its flawed budget that would have diverted Guard resources to the active duty,” Carle said in an email.

Burlington was chosen as one of six locations to possibly base the F-35. The basing decision from the Pentagon is expected to be handed down this fall.

Sens. Leahy and Sanders, Rep. Peter Welch, Gov. Peter Shumlin and Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger all support the basing of the F-35 in Vermont.

F-35 opponent Rosanne Greco, a retired Air Force colonel, said she was concerned about the phone call.

“My Pentagon sources say that data has been altered, and is currently being manipulated to depict Burlington in a better light, despite the fact that Burlington scored lower than the other Guard bases,” Greco said.

Greco said she did not understand why Leahy and other elected officials would continue to push for the plane when the Air Force’s Environment Impact Statement said Burlington would impact more people negatively than the other preferred locations.